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Ohio AG investigation to be wide-ranging, inspector says
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Resignation is far from the end for former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, who quit Wednesday amid a firestorm of criticism from all sides.
A coalition of law enforcement and administrative agencies is soon to be convened under Inspector General Tom Charles to coordinate efforts and share resources as they review the conduct of Dann and others within his office, Charles said Thursday. Impeachment was the only legal threat to be raised against Dann that had been dropped as a result of him voluntarily stepping down.
Ironically, the gathering will look much like the task force that investigated former Gov. Bob Taft, his aides and associates in the rare coin scandal that enveloped the Taft administration and helped Dann get elected.
Charles said his probe will be wide-ranging.
(Refer to page 1 of the Kenton Times) |
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| WEDNESDAY MAY 14, 2008 |
Lawmaker seeks to protect Ohio water rights
CLEVELAND (AP) - A state senator introduced a constitutional amendment Wednesday that he says would protect the private groundwater rights of Ohioans from a multi-state compact designed to prevent water from being sent from the Great Lakes region to thirsty regions.
Sen. Tim Grendell wants the amendment put on the ballot in November so voters can protect their groundwater and lakes.
Four states - Illinois, Indiana, New York and Minnesota - and two Canadian provinces have approved the compact. It must be approved by all eight Great Lakes states and then approved by Congress to become federal law.
Grendell, a Chesterland Republican, says the compact's language includes not just the Great Lakes but private property owners' groundwater and wells in 35 counties that are part of the Great Lakes basin.
(Refer to page 2 of the Kenton Times) |
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Ohio Senate OKs tough payday lending cap
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Senate has passed legislation that would create one of the nation's strictest laws governing payday lending.
The bill limits borrowers to four short-term loans a year and caps annual interest rates at 28 percent.
Payday lenders generally charge about $15 for every $100 borrowed on a two-week loan, which would be the equivalent of a 391 percent annual interest rate.
Republican Senate President Bill Harris says consumers also wouldn't be able to borrow more than $500 per loan, or 25 percent of a consumer's base monthly pay - whichever is less.
Industry representatives say the legislation would put payday lenders out of business.
House lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the restrictions late last month.
The House must now approve changes made by the Senate before sending the bill to the governor for enactment.
(Refer to page 2 of the Kenton Times) |
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